1. CODE OF SAFE PRACTICE FOR CARRYING TIMBER DECK CARGOES
Preface
The Code is designed to assist:
.1 shipowners, operating companies and ship’s staff;
.2 port industries, shippers and pre-packaging organizations, which are involved in
preparation, loading, and stowing of timber deck cargoes; and
.3 Administrations, manufacturers and designers of the ship and equipment
associated with the carriage of timber deck cargoes and those developing cargo
securing manuals,
Purpose of the code
The purpose of the Code is to ensure that timber deck cargoes are so loaded, stowed and
secured as to prevent as far as practicable, damage or hazard to the ship
and persons on board as well as loss of cargo overboard.
The Code provides:
.1 practices for safe transportation;
.2 methodologies for safe stowage and securing;
.3 design principles for securing systems;
.4 procedures and instructions to be included in ships’ cargo securing manuals on
safe stowage and securing; and
.5 sample checklists for safe stowage and securing.
Application
The requirements of this Code apply to all ships of 24 metres or more in length, carrying
a timber deck cargo.
Timber load line means a special load line assigned to ships complying with
certain conditions set out in the International Convention on Load Lines and used
when the cargo complies with the stowage and securing conditions of this Code.
Weather deck means the uppermost complete deck exposed to weather and sea.
Stowage Factor (SF) means the volume occupied by one tonne of a cargo when
stowed and separated in the accepted manner.
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2. CODE OF SAFE PRACTICE FOR CARRYING TIMBER DECK CARGOES
QUESTION: YOU ARE A CHIEF MATE / MASTER ON A VESSEL TO CARRY
TIMBER?
I shall refer to the CODE OF SAFE PRACTICE FOR SHIPS CARRYING TIMBER
DECK CARGOES which will give me the following information
General Recommendations on Stowage and Securing of Timber Deck Cargoes
Pre-loading operation
Permitted Loading Weights on decks and hatch covers
Stability
Load line
Timber freeboard
Visibility
Work Safety and Work Environment Aspects
Stowage
Post-loading operation.
Voyage planning
Cargo Securing Manual
The code also has 5 annexes
ANNEX 1 – Sample Checklists
ANNEX 2 – Visibility
ANNEX 3 – Physical Properties of Timber Cargoes
ANNEX 4 – Denotations Used in Design Criteria
ANNEX 5 – Samples of Stowage and Securing Methods
3.4 Safety Factors
3.4.1 Safety factors are to be used when:
.1 calculating the Maximum Securing Load (MSL) of the lashings from the
Minimum Breaking Load (MBL);
.2 calculating the maximum allowed Calculated Strength (CS) in the lashings as
function of MSL.
3.4.2 MSL as function of the MBL should be taken according to annex 13 of the CSS Code.
3.4.3 The maximum allowed Calculated Strength (CS) in lashings
3.6 Documentation
3.6.1 Each cargo securing arrangement for timber deck cargoes should be documented in the
ships Cargo Securing Manual in accordance with the instructions in MSC/Circ.745.
3.6.2 In the Cargo Securing Manual each stowage and securing arrangements should
additionally be documented by a Lashing Plan showing at least the following:
.1 Maximum cargo weight for which the arrangement is designed,
.2 Maximum stowage height,
.3 Required number and strength of blocking devices and lashings as applicable,
Preparations before Loading of Timber Deck Cargoes
General preparations
The following cargo information as applicable is collected:
• Total weight of cargo booked as deck cargo
• Typical dimensions of the cargo
• Density of the cargo
• Stowage factor of the cargo
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3. CODE OF SAFE PRACTICE FOR CARRYING TIMBER DECK CARGOES
1.A pre-loading plan according to the vessel’s Trim and Stability
 Stowage height
 Weight per m2
 Required amount of water ballast
 Displacement, draft, trim and stability at departure and arrival.
2.During stability calculations, variation in displacement, centre of gravity and free surface
moments due to the following factors are considered:
 Absorption of water in dried or seasoned timber carried as timber deck cargo
 Ice accretion, if applicable
 Loss of weight due to drying
 Variations in consumables
 Ballast water exchange operations.
3.A pre-lashing plan according to the vessel’s Cargo Securing Manual (CSM) is done
4.The certificates for the lashing equipment are available in the vessel’s Cargo Securing Manual.
5.When stability calculations and lashing plan have been satisfactorily carried out, the maximum
cargo intake is confirmed.
6.Pre-load loading and pre-lashing plans are distributed to all involved parties (i.e. supercargo,
stevedores, agent, etc.).
7.Weather report for loading period and forecasted weather for the sea voyage is checked.
Vessel readiness
1.All ballast tanks required for the voyage and included in the stability calculations are filled
before commencing loading on deck and it is ensured that tanks are completely full or empty
to minimize the amount of free surfaces.
2.Hatch covers and other openings to spaces below deck are closed, secured and battened down.
3.Air pipes, ventilators and check-valves are protected and examined to ascertain their
effectiveness against entry of water.
4.Objects which might obstruct cargo stowage on deck are removed and secured safely in places
appropriate for storage.
5.Accumulations of ice and snow on loading area are removed.
6.All sounding pipes on the deck are reviewed and necessary precautions are taken that safe
access to these remains, and that they are not over stowed.
7.It is controlled that illumination on deck is working and ready for use.
Ship-to-shore communication
1.Radio channels to be used during cargo operations are assigned and tested.
2.It is confirmed that crane drivers and loading stevedores/crew understands signals to be used
during cargo operations.
3.A plan is worked out for possible ceasing of the loading operations due to deteriorating
weather.
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4. CODE OF SAFE PRACTICE FOR CARRYING TIMBER DECK CARGOES
PP equipments
1.It is made sure that personnel involved in the loading process are aware of all requirements
regarding protective clothing,
Safety during Loading and Securing of Timber Deck Cargoes
1.If applicable, uprights are mounted before loading on deck is commenced.
2.Cargo securing equipment has been examined in preparation for use in securing of timber deck
cargoes and any defective equipment found has been removed from service, tagged for
repair and replaced.
Vessel’s safety
1.All loading operations are planned to immediately cease if a list develops for which there is no
satisfactory explanation
2.In the event that the vessel takes up an unexplained list, then no further work to be undertaken
until all ship’s tanks are sounded and assessment made of the ship’s stability condition.
3.The loading operations are ceased if the weather condition deteriorating significantly.
4.Draft surveys are regularly carried out during the course of loading and the ship’s displacement
is calculated to ensure that the ship is not over loaded.
5.Permitted loading weights on deck and hatches are not exceeded.
6.The stability of the vessel is at all times positive and in compliance with the vessels intact
stability requirements.
7. Emergency escape routes are free and ready for use.
8.Any obstruction such as lashings or securing points in the access way of escape routes and
spaces essential to operation of the vessel, such as machinery spaces and crew’s quarters, as
well as obstructions to safety equipment, fire fighting equipment and sounding pipes are kept
to minimum
Stowage
1.The stow of the deck cargo is as solid and compact as practicable and the cargo is tightly
stowed. This is as far as practicable obtained within the stow to minimize the risk of cargo
shifting during the sea voyage.
2.Cargo is not stowed overhanging the ship’s side
Work safety
1.Personnel involved in the loading process are equipped with protective clothing, i.e. hardhats,
proper footwear, gloves etc
2.Personnel working on cargo stowed at heights 2 metres and above are protected from falls with
fall restraint equipment such as a safety harness or other approved fall restraining devices.
3.All possible actions are taken to minimize the risk of slipping on the cargo (i.e. when plastic
wrapping or tarpaulins are used as covers).
4.Illumination is working when required during the cargo operation.
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5. CODE OF SAFE PRACTICE FOR CARRYING TIMBER DECK CARGOES
Securing of Timber Deck Cargoes
1.The stevedoring company and the crew are informed about the requirements on the securing
arrangements.
2.If required, extra lashing points are welded to the vessel with strength according to the vessel’s
Cargo Securing Manual.
3.Only undamaged cargo securing equipment is used for the securing of the timber deck cargoes.
4.If any damage is noted on the fixed lashing equipment this is immediately repaired.
5.If any damage is noted on the portable lashing equipment this is immediately repaired or the
equipment is exchanged by new certified equipment.
6.All lashings are thoroughly tightened and all bolts and screws on shackles and turnbuckles are
tightly fastened.Turnbuckles have sufficient threads remaining to permit lashings to be
tightened during the voyage if needed.
IMPORTANT:
 The timber deck cargo is secured according to the vessel’s Cargo Securing
Manual and the manual is approved by the Administration.
 Number and strength of uprights and lashing equipment used for the securing of the
timber deck cargo is in accordance with the vessel’s Cargo Securing Manual
approved by the Administration.
 Certificates for the lashing equipment used are enclosed with the vessel’s Cargo
Securing Manual.
Actions to be Taken during the Voyage
1.Before the vessel proceeds to sea, the following are verified:
• The ship is upright
• The ship has an adequate metacentric height
• The ship meets the required stability criteria
• The cargo is properly secured.
2.Soundings of tanks are continuously carried out throughout the voyage.
3.In cases where severe weather and sea conditions are unavoidable, the Master should be
conscious of the need to reduce speed and/or alter course at an early stage in order to minimize
damage to cargo and lashing
4.If deviation from the intended voyage plan is considered during the voyage, a new plan should
be made.
Cargo Safety Inspections during Sea Voyages
Cargo Safety Inspections, in accordance with the items below, are continuously checked
throughout the voyage.
Prior to any inspections being commenced on deck, the Master has taken appropriate
actions to reduce the motions of thevessel during such operations.
No movement of the cargo which would threaten the safety of the vessel has occurred.
All lashing equipment are visually examined for any abnormal wear or tear or other
damages.
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6. CODE OF SAFE PRACTICE FOR CARRYING TIMBER DECK CARGOES
List during voyage
1.If a list occurs that is not caused by normal use of consumables, it is immediately determined if
such list can be attributed to one of the three causes, or possibly a combination of same:
• Cargo shift
• Water ingresses
• The angle of loll (poor stability).
2.The possibility of water ingress is determined by sounding throughout the vessel. In the event
that unexplained water is detected, all available pumps are used to bring the situation under
control.
3.If the list is corrected by ballasting and deballasting operations, the order in which tanks are
filled and emptied is decided with consideration to the following factors:
If ballast have been shifted to counteract a cargo shift or water ingress, a far greater list
may rapidly develop to the opposite side
If the list is due to the ship lolling, and if empty divided double bottom space is
available, the tank on the lower side should be ballasted first in order to immediately
provide additional metacentric height – after which the tank on the high side should also
be ballasted
Free surface moments should be kept at a minimum by operating only one tank at a time.
If the list is corrected by jettisoning deck cargo, the following aspects are noted:
Jettisoning is unlikely to improve the situation as the whole stack would probably not
fall at once
Severe damage may be sustained by the propeller if it isstill turning when the timber is
jettisoned.
If the whole or partial timber deck load is either jettisoned or accidentally lost overboard, the
information on a direct danger to navigation is communicated by the master by all means at
his disposal to the following parties:
Ships in the vicinity
Competent authorities
Such information is to include the following:
The kind of danger
The position of the danger when last observed
The time and date (coordinated universal time) when the danger was last observed.
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7. CODE OF SAFE PRACTICE FOR CARRYING TIMBER DECK CARGOES
Safety during Discharge of Timber Deck Cargoes
Cargo Securing Equipment
1.The cargo securing equipment is collected and examined and damaged equipment is either
repaired or scrapped.
2.Uprights, when used, are well fastened to the deck or hatch coamings of the vessel and
protected from falling inwards during discharging operations.
Vessel’s Safety
1.All loading operations to immediately cease if a list develops for which there is no satisfactory
explanation.
2.The stability of the vessel is at all times positive and in compliance with the vessels intact
stability requirements.
3.Emergency escape routes are free and ready for use.
Work Safety
1.Personnel involved in the loading process are dressed with protective clothing, i.e. hardhats,
proper footwear, gloves, etc.,
2 While working on the cargo there are possibilities for safety wires and the use of safety harness
if applicable.
3.Correct signals are used with crane operator(s).
4.Safe access is available to the top of, and across, the cargo stow.
5.Illumination is used when required during the cargo operation.
ANNEX 2 – Visibility
1 According to SOLAS chapter V, the view of the sea surface from the conning position
should not be obscured by more than two ship lengths, or 500 m, whichever is the less, forward
of the bow to 10° on either side under all conditions of draught, trim and deck cargo. National
deviations may exist and should be taken into consideration as required dependent on the
intended voyage.
2 No blind sector, caused by cargo, cargo gear or other obstructions outside of the
wheelhouse forward of the beam which obstructs the view of the sea surface as seen from the
conning position, should exceed 10°. The total arc of blind sectors should not exceed 20°. The
clear sectors between blind sectors should be at least 5°.
Package Weight Marking
All packages over 1 metric ton should be clearly marked with the weight of the package.
The marking should be clearly visible on the top of the package as well as both long
sides.
Water Absorption
Sea spray may increase the weight of the timber deck cargo and thus influence on the
stability.The value of increased weight of timber deck cargo due to water absorption should be
taken according to the Intact Stability Code.
Weight of Ice
During cold weather conditions ice may form from sea spray and the stability may be
affected as the ice can add weight rapidly. Increasing of the weight due to icing should be taken
according to the Intact Stability Code.
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8. CODE OF SAFE PRACTICE FOR CARRYING TIMBER DECK CARGOES
NOTE 1: when can a vessel load to her timber marks?
 When a ship is assigned a timber load line, in order to load to those marks the
vessel must be loaded with a timberdeck cargo which is correctly stowed in
accordance with the deck cargo regulations and the IMO Code of Safe Practice
for Ships Carrying Timber Deck Cargoes, 1991.
 These regulations require that the timber be stowed as solidly as possible to at
least the standard height of the superstructure. For instance, in ships of 125m or
more in length, this equates to a uniform height of not less than 2.3m. In ships
under 125m in length, the stow should reach a uniform height of not less than the
height of the break of the forecastle head.
 If the timber is stowed to a lesser height than indicated above or is not correctly
stowed in any other way, i.e., not the full length of the well or not from side to
side, then the ship is not permitted to load to the timber line.
 When timber is correctly stowed on deck as referred to above, the ship may load
to the timber load line irrespective of the quantity or type of cargo stowed below
decks. The reduction in freeboard enjoyed by a ship which is assigned timber
load lines, is permitted because of the buoyancy contribution of the timber deck
cargo to the ship’s stability characteristics
NOTE 2: When can a vessel be assigned a timber load line?
 In order to be assigned a timber load line along with the usual cargo ship load
lines the vessel must comply with the following construction requirements.
Vessel to have adequate strength at deeper draught
A raised forecastle atleast to the standard height of the superstructure and
extending for atleast 7% of the vessels length. If the vessel is under 100mtrs in
length, there must also be a superstructure aft of atleast standard height
Double bottom tanks,where fitted within the midship half length,must be
subdivided in order to minimise the free surface effects
The ship must be fitted with the permanent bulwarks atleast 1m in height and
suitably stiffened and fitted with freeing ports
NOTE 3: intact stability requirements
 Stability calculations to assess the vessels compliance with minimum stability
criteria should include 15% increase in weight of the timber deck cargo due to
water absorption
 Alternate KN tables taking into account the increase in freeboard due to timber
deck cargo to be used. Such tables must assume reserve buoyancy of 75% of
the total deck timber
 Initial GM not less than 0.05m (SOLAS gives GM not less than 0.10m)
 Max GZ not less than 0.2m and angle of max Gz not less than 30 degrees
 Area under curve upto 30 degrees not less than 0.055mr
 Area under curve upto 40 degrees not less than 0.09mr
 Area between 30 and 40 degrees not less than 0.03mr
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